ABSTRACT

This study examined the regional impact of alternative groundwater conservation policies on the Ogallala Aquifer of the Southern High Plains of Texas. Nonlinear optimization models were developed to analyze three scenarios involving imposing production fees, restricting annual pumpage, and restricting the decline in saturated thickness of the aquifer for the purpose of conserving regional water resources. The three alternatives were analyzed for their effectiveness in restricting the aquifer drawdown and the associated agricultural costs of each alternative.